# Northern Harrier (*Circus hudsonius*) The Northern Harrier is a graceful bird of prey that flies low over fields and marshes. With its long wings and a distinctive white patch on its tail, it hunts for small animals like mice and birds. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Hen Harrier, Marsh Hawk ![Northern Harrier](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426575/objects/1421.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Harrier has a distinct owl-like facial disk and a prominent white patch on its rump, visible in flight. Males are pale gray above with white undersides, while females are streaky brown with a buff underside. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Circus ## Interesting facts - A bright white patch above its tail helps identify them in flight! - Males hunt for multiple females, sometimes feeding two or three nests at once! - Their nests are built right on the ground, cleverly hidden in dense marsh plants. - They often 'kite' into the wind, hovering almost perfectly still while hunting. ## Special abilities - **Sound Sleuth:** Northern Harrier can locate prey hidden under vegetation by sound alone, using its unique owl-like facial disk. - **Weaving Wanderer:** Northern Harrier has a distinctive low, rocking flight that helps them surprise small mammals and birds in tall grasses. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 43-50 cm - **Wingspan:** 99-120 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-16 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-8 - **Incubation:** 28-36 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding A swift hunter, the Northern Harrier mostly eats small mammals and birds they snatch from the ground. - **Primary Foods:** voles, mice, shrews, sparrows, frogs, insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Main food source in grasslands. - **Hunts:** Masked Shrew (*Sorex cinereus*) — Common prey in dense vegetation. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Preys on harrier nestlings and adults. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Raids nests for eggs and young. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Harrier? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Harrier? 43-50 cm ### What is Northern Harrier's wingspan? 99-120 cm ### How much does Northern Harrier weigh? 0.3-0.6 kg ### How long does Northern Harrier live? 6-16 years ### How fast can Northern Harrier move? 50 km/h ### What does Northern Harrier eat? A swift hunter, the Northern Harrier mostly eats small mammals and birds they snatch from the ground. ### Where is Northern Harrier usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Franks Tract State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franks-tract-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palo-alto-baylands-nature-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [William O'Brien State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-obrien-state-park) — Minnesota, US · State Park - [Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metropolitan-park-bathhouse-and-pool-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Sunrise](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise) — Alaska, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Northern Harrier](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-harrier) ## Watch - [Play video: Northern Harrier](https://www.snappit.app/videos/northern-harrier) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=jwPMdZnKK3o) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern Harrier: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-harrier)